“If you are having a wedding, it’s a good idea to invite Jesus”

We pick up our story with Jesus and His disciples arriving in Cana on the third day to join the festivities. There is something significant about Jesus arriving on the third day. The third day of the Jewish calendar is Tuesday. I’ve discovered many Jewish weddings are conducted on Tuesdays. This is considered a “good day” for a celebration. In the creation story on the third day God twice refers to His masterpiece as being “good.”

Upon arriving, His mother confronts Him with the news the host’s supply of wine has been depleted. This is potentially embarrassing for the host. To run out of wine or food was tantamount to breaking the unwritten rules of hospitality.

John writes that nearby are six stone jars that are used for ceremonial washing. Each of these jars could hold anywhere from 20 to 30 gallons of water. The servants obey Jesus and begin filling each jar with water. Once their task was completed He then instructed them to dip some out and take it to the master of ceremony.

The master of ceremony tastes the water which has now been transformed into wine — not just wine, but the best of wine. He tells the groom hosts usually served the best wine first during these festivals and then after everyone is “feeling good” he brings out the less expensive wine. However, Jesus does not provide that which is “second best.” He blessed the wedding guests with the finest Chardonnay and not cheap Ripple or Boone’s Farm.
Jesus always gives us the best!